Collapsible constructions



1950 J. L. HUTTON 2,961,101

COLLAPSIBLE CONSTRUCTIONS Filed Dec. 2, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l /145$. I. Err-041,

IN VENTOR.

1950 J. L. HUTTON 61 1 COLLAPSIBLE CONSTRUCTIONS I Filed Dec. 2, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a; ClqME-s E, fizz-r041;

1N VENTOR.

United States Patent Ofiice A 2,961,101 Patented Nov. 22, 1960 COLLAPSIBLE CONSTRUCTIONS James L. Hutton, 3170 Valencia Ave., San Bernardino, Calif.

Filed Dec. 2, 1957, Ser. No. 700,116

29 Claims. (Cl. 211-132) This invention relates to new and improved collapsible constructions such as ofiice desk trays, display shelves and the like.

Many types of devices are used to hold longitudinal members spaced from one another in a parallel fashion in order that various materials may be placed upon these members. As an example of this common composite office desk trays used to receive various types of correspondence and the like are constructed so that a series of these trays are connected by various rigid members. While such rigid composite desk tray constructions are very serviceable, they suffer from a major disadvantage. In many types of businesses such as, for example, banks, and accounting ofiices, it is necessary at the close of a business day to remove either these trays or their contents, and to place them in a safe or the like for safekeeping. The present constructions used for office desk trays are not specifically adapted for this purpose. When they are physically transported to a safe or the like, they occupy a comparatively large volume Within such storage receptacles. When the contents of such trays are physically removed from them a great deal of unnecessary work is required.

A broad object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved collapsible desk tray construction. More specifically an object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible desk tray construction including a series of individual desk trays connected to each other by various link means as herein described. When such link means are actuated, this series of desk trays may be either moved apart from one another for use or may be collapsed within one another for storage purposes. This invention is not, however, restricted to ofiice desk tray constructions.

In its broader aspects, the invention concerns any type of collapsible construction in which a series of members are supported in an open position so that these members are spaced from one another and in which by appropriate actuation of link means as described in this application these members may be moved towards one another so as to form a closed compact unit for storage or the like or may be moved apart for use. It is a broad object of the present invention to produce collapsible constructions such as display racks or the like equivalent structures.

Because of the nature of this invention, it is not considered necessary to specifically spell out in this specification a very long list of various other objects and advantages of the invention inasmuch as such other objects and advantages will be fully apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains from a detailed consideration of the remainder of this description including the appended claims and the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a presently preferred collapsible desk tray construction of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of this desk tray construction in an open position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the desk tray' construction in a closed configuration;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 2 of a modified collapsible desk tray construction of this invention;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating this modified construction in a closed configuration;

Fig. 6 is an end view similar to Fig. 2 of a collapsible display rack of this invention in an open configuration; and

Fig. 7 is an end view of this display rack in a folded or closed configuration.

In all figures of the drawing like numerals are used to designate like parts wherever convenient for purposes of illustration and explanation. It is to be understood that the accompanying drawing is not to be taken as limiting this invention in any respect. Those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will realize that a large number of diiferently appearing collapsible constructions may be manufactured utilizing the essential principles or features of this invention as hereinafter explained.

As an aid to understanding the invention, it may be stated in essentially summary form that it concerns collapsible constructions in the nature of expanding and contracting truss mechanisms, each of which includes a series of longitudinal members which are adapted to be spaced from one another in an open configuration and which are adapted to be located adjacent to one another in a closed configuration. These longitudinal members are formed so as to include ends located adjacent to one another in what may be considered the same planes. Upon each of these ends of each of the longitudinal members a set of parallel links is pivotally attached to each of these members, and the adjacent ends of the links are pivotally connected to one another. Bracing link means are also connected to adjacent of parallel links as hereinafter indicated and connecting link means are used to interconnect the pairs of parallel links also as hereinafter described. In the constructions of the present invention means are preferably provided in order to cause this system of links to rotate and fold together so that the members may be spaced either adjacent to one another or apart from one another as desired in use.

Because of the mechanical nature of this invention, it is considered necessary to refer directly to the accompanying drawings in order to completely explain it. In Fig. 1 there is shown a collapsible desk tray construction 10 of the present invention which includes three parallel desk trays 12, 14, and 16 located one above another as shown. Each of these desk trays has a bottom wall 18, side walls 29, a back wall 22 and a front edge of side 24. Preferably the walls 20 and 22 slope slightly so as to facilitate the trays 12, 14, and 16 fitting within one another when as shown in Fig. 3 from the construction 10 as in a collapsed or closed configuration. If desired, the back walls 22 may be termed back sides and the front edges 24 may be termed front sides. In order to slope the construction 10 backwards so as to facilitate holding papers within the trays 12, 14, and 16 small legs 26 may be located upon the bottom tray 16 as shown. The link constructions at each of the ends of the complete construction 10 are preferably identical as hereinafter described.

Upon the top of each of the side walls 20 of the bottom tray 16 there are attached by means of pivot pins 28, such as rivets or the equivalents, a pair of parallel links 30. These links 30 are all of the same dimension and are connected by means of pivot pins 32 to parallel links 34. As can be determined from the drawing (Figs. 1 and 2) a pair of the links 34 is located at each end of the center tray 14 and the links 34 are connected by means of pivot pins 36 to the top of the side walls 20 of this tray 14. The links 34 are parallel and are of the same dimension and project toward the top tray 12. They are connected by other pivot pins 38 to still other parallel links 40 which are pivotally attached to the top edge of the side walls 20 of the top tray 12 by means of other pivot pins 42. The links 40 are used in pairs at each end of the tray 12 and are allof the same dimension.

When, the construction is in an open or expanded configuration as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, the links 30, 34 and 40 are all aligned with one another. These links are supported and held in this configuration by diagonal bracing links 44 and 46 located at each end of the construction 10. Each of the bracing links 44 is connected by a pivot pin 48 to a link 30 adjacent to the back walls 22 in the construction 10 and is connected to a link 34 by means of another pivot pin 50 adjacent to the front edges 24 of the construction 10. Each of the bracing links 46 is connected by means of a further pivot pin 52 to a link 34 closest adjacent to the back walls 22 in the construction 10 and is. connected to a link 40 closest adjacent to the front edges 24 in the construction 10 by means of another pivot pin 54. From a careful examination of the drawings it will be noted that the distance -be tween the centers of the pivot pins 28 and 48, 32 and 50, along the links 30 and 34 respectively are equal. Also, the distance between the centers of the pivot pins 38 and 52, 42 and 54 are equal along the links 34 and 40 respectively and that the links 44 and 46 are of an identical dimension.

In the construction 10 illustrated the pivot pins 38 are connected at each end of the construction 10 by means of a connecting link 56 extending between these two pivot pins. If desired, this connecting link 56 can be located so as to connect the pivot pins 32 or similar connecting links may be used in each of these locations. The pivot pin 38 adjacent to the back wall 22 of the top tray 12 at each end of the construction 10 is also pivotally connected to an actuating link 58. These actuating links are connected at their upper extremities by means of pivot pins 60 to arms 62 extending from bearings 64 in the top of each of the side walls 20 of the top tray 12. These bearings 64 serve to rotatably support a handle 66 to which the arms 62 are attached in such a manner that as the handle 66 is rotated the rotation of this handle is transmitted to the entire series of links indicated in the preceding discussion.

In closing the complete construction 10 to a closed or collapsed configuration as indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawing this handle 66 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 2 until it fits generally within the top tray 12. Preferably the handle 66 is formed out of resilient wire or the like so as to engage in a spring-like manner any papers within this top tray 12 and firmly hold them within this tray. Small rubber washers 68 may be carried upon the handle 66 to aid in gripping such papers.

It is considered unnecessary to specifically spell out in this specification the maner in which all of the individual links 30, 34, 40, 44, 46, 56 and 58 rotate and fold together when the handle 66 is moved in this manner inasmuch as it is considered that the manner in which these members move will be obvious from a consideration of Fig. 3 of the drawing. It is, however, important to note that the trays 12, 14, and 16 are moved as to be parallel to one another at all times. The bracing links 44 and 46 cause the various pairs of links 30, 34, and 40 to rotate in synchronism with each other in order to accomplish this desired result. The connecting links 56 also aid in accomplishing this result.

In opening the complete collapsible desk tray construction 10 the handle 66 is rotated back to the position shownin Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing. As this occurs the various links described move in a manner which will be obvious when studying the drawings. Preferably the actuating link 58 is of such dimension that the distance between the pivot pin 38 and the pivot pin 60 is slightly less than the actual distance betwen the pivot pin 38 and the bearing 64 plus the actual distance between this bearing 64 and the pivot pin 60 so as to obtain an over center type of toggle action which serves to lock the trays 12, 14, and 16 with respect to one another in an open configuration.

In Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing there is illustrated a modified collapsible desk tray construction 70 of this invention which is substantially identical to the construction it previously described except as to the use of a bracing link 72 instead of the bracing link 44 previously described and except for the manner in which certain of the other parts are altered so that the trays of this construction diverge from one another. For convenience or" understanding this modified construction 70 has been illustrated in diagrammatic form and all of the various links, pivot pins, etc., which are identical with the links, pivot pins, etc., of the construction 10 have been designated by the primes of the numerals previously used. Those parts of the construction 70 which are identical, or substantially identical, with parts of the construction 10 except as to length have been identified by the primes and the double primes of the numerals previously employed.

In the modified construction 70 the bracing link 72 is attached to the link 34 closest adjacent to the back walls 22' of the construction 70 and is attached to the link 30 closest adjacent to the front edges 24' in this construction. This bracing link 72 is of such dimension that the distance between the center of the pivot pin 48' and the pivot pin 36 is equal to the distance between V pivot pin 50' and the pivot pin 32' as illustrated in Fig.

1 of the drawing. The bracing link 72 cooperates with the bracing link 46' so as to give a double diagonal type of bracing to the links 3t), 30'', 34', 34", 40 and 40" when the construction 79 is in an open configuration as indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, and serves to rotate the various links to which it is directly and indirectly connected to a closed position as indicated in Fig. 5 of the drawingwhen the handle 66' is turned.

In the construction 78 the links 36", 34 and 40 closest adjacent to the front edges 24 of the trays 12', 14 and 16 are longer than the links 30', 34 and 40' closest adjacent to the back sides 22' of these trays. Because of this the dimensions of the links 46', 56 and 72 differ slightly from the dimensions of the corresponding parts of the construction it The use of pairs of links, the individual links of which vary in length in this manner is advantageous in the construction 70 since this expedient spaces the trays 12', 14', and 16' in a diverging manner so that the backs of the bottoms of these trays are closer together than the front edges 24' of these trays. This facilitates use of these trays by providing additional space when papers are inserted within them.

In Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawing there is shown a collapsible display rack construction 80 of the present invention which includes shelves S2, 84, 86 and 88 connected together at their ends 90 by a system of links as hereinafter described. The link system used at the end of this construction 80 shown is identical with the link system used at the other end of this construction. Each of the shelves 82', 84, 86 and 83 is formed so as to include a front side 92 and a back side 94.

The end 90 of the bottom shelf 82 is secured to a set of identically formed parallel links 96 by means of pivot pins 28. These links 96 may be formed so as to include small extensions 100 serving as legs for the construction :80. Other pivot pins 102 at the upper ends of the links 96 connect these links to other parallel links 104. The links 104 are each identically formed and are used in pairs. They are attached by means of pivot pins 106 to the shelf 84, and the upper ends of the links 104 are attached through the use of pivot pins 108 to another set of parallel links 110. As indicated in the drawing,

the links 110 are used in pairs and are connected to the shelf 86 by means of a further set of pivot pins 112. The links 110 are also identically formed, and they in turn are connected to other parallel identical links 114 by means of pivot pins 116. These other links 114 are identical to each and they are both attached by means of pivot pins 118' to the top shelf 88.

When the construction is in an open or expanded position as indicated in Fig. 6 of the drawing all of the shelves are parallel and are staggered in a step-wise manner. In order to close the construction 80 legs 120 at each end of the construction 80 serving to support this construction in an open position are rotated generally toward the extensions 100. Each of these legs 120 is attached to one of the pivot pins 106 used to connect one of the links 104 to the shelf 84 so as to be capable of rotating with respect to this shelf 84. They (the legs 120) also are attached to the links 104 by means of pins 122 adjacent to the back side 94 of the shelf 84. If desired, these legs 120 can be formed integrally with the shelf 84. Thus, as a leg 120 is rotated, it causes the rotation of a link 104.

Such rotation of one of the links 104 is transmitted to the other of the links 104 by means of a connecting link 124 which is carried by the pivot pins 108. Rotation is also transmitted to the links 96, 104, 110 and 114 by means of bracing links 126. As indicated in the drawing, these bracing links are attached to the links 96, 104, 110 and 114 by means of pivot pins 128 so as to extend parallel to one another and so as to connect one of any of the sets of links 96, 104 and 110 adjacent to the back sides 94 of the shelves 82, 84, 86 and 88 to the links 104, 110 and 114 of the pairs of links indicated adjacent to the front sides 92 of the shelves 82, 84, 86 and 88. Further these connecting links 114 are mounted so that the distance between the pivot pins 128 and the pivot pins 102, 108 and 116 along any of the links indicated are all equal to one another.

When the construction 80 is manipulated so as to move the leg 120 toward the extension 100, the various links described are constructed and mounted on the pins indicated so as to fit over one another as indicated in Fig. 7 of the drawing, so that the entire construction 80 forms a comparatively small package which has the shelves 82, 84, 86 and 88 located parallel to one another. In opening the construction 80 the leg 120 is moved in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in the drawing until such time as small stop 132 afixed to the leg 120 hits against the shelf 84 preventing further rotation. The display rack construction 80 is then ready for use.

From a consideration of the preceding description of various embodiments of this invention it will be realized that the collapsible constructions herein described are of such a nature that they may be termed expanding and retracting truss mechanisms because they are constructed in such a manner as to hold a plurality of members such as the trays or shelves previously described, with respect to one another in such a manner that these members may be moved so that the spacing between them is varied. Regardless of the spacing between these members with this invention, these members are rigidly held in position by the system of links located at the ends of the members.

The system of links employed at the ends of the members in the collapsible constructions of this invention includes a pair of links located at each end of each of the members used. Further, the links within each of these pairs are secured to the corresponding member so as to be capable of being rotated about a fixed, immovable, pivot point. The various pairs of links used are arranged in such a manner so as to define a series of four sided geometric figures having adjacent coincident sides. It will be realized that such figures are not always complete figures in a geometric sense inasmuch as adjacent ends of opposed links are not always physically connected together, although they may be all physically connected together using connecting links as described. A connecting link as used with this invention serves to cause all of the pairs of links to be held so that the links within each of these pairs are always parallel. In achieving an extending or retracting action with the collapsible construction of this invention motion is transmitted from one of the pairs of links to the next adjacent pair of links by means of bracing links extending between these pairs as indicated in the preceding discussion.

Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will realize that the basic principles of this invention may be applied to a wide variety of different collapsible constructions and that connecting links as illustrated in connection with this construction 70 and the other constructions of the invention shown will be interchanged if desired. They will further realize that the basic principles of this invention may be modified so that the links employed overlap one another in a different manner than shown and so that a complete construction falling within the scope of this invention has a different appearance from the appearance of the construction described. Also the linkage arrangement employed with this invention can be utilized with virtually any number of longitudinal members as may be desired. Because of these reasons the present invention is to be considered as being limited only by the appended claims forming a part of this disclosure.

I claim:

1. A collapsible construction which comprises: a series of longitudinal members having ends aligned with one another; a pair of parallel links pivotally attached to each of said ends of said longitudinal members, the adjacent ends of said links located generally between said members being pivotally attached to one another; and bracing link means pivotally connecting one of said links of each of said pair of links with one of said links of the next adjacent pair of links.

2. A collapsible construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said members are trays, said trays being formed so as to nest within one another.

3. A collapsible construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said members are shelves.

4. A collapsible construction as defined in claim 1 including handle means pivotally mounted on one of said members and link means pivotally connecting said one of said links with said handle means whereby as said handle means are rotated all of said parallel links are caused to rotate.

5. A collapsible construction as defined in claim 1 including means fixed to one of said links for causing rotation of all of said links.

6. A collapsible construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said longitudinal members are parallel and wherein each of said links of each of said pairs of links is identically formed.

7. A collapsible construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said longitudinal members diverge with respect to one another.

8. A collapsible construction which comprises: a series of longitudinal members having ends aligned with one another; a pair of parallel links pivotally attached to each of said ends of said longitudinal members, the adjacent ends of said links located generally between said members being pivotally attached to one another; bracing link means pivotally connecting one of said links of each of said pair of links with one of said links of the next adjacent pair of links; and at least one connecting link means located at each end of said series of members, each of said connecting link means being pivotally attached to two pairs of said parallel links Where said two pair of parallel links are pivotally attached to one another.

9. A collapsible construction as defined in claim 8 wherein said longitudinal members are parallel and wherein each of said links of each of said pairs of links is identically formed.

. 1Q. A collapsible construction which comprises: a series at longitud na mem rs ha n e a d d b in located within parallel planes; :1 pair of parallel links pivotally attached to each of said ends of said longitudinal members, the adjacent ends'of said links located generally between said members being pivotally attached to one another; bracing link means pivotally connecting one of said links of the next adjacent pairof links, the ends of said bracing link means being pivotally connected at an equal distance from points of rotation of links of said pairs of links; and at least one connecting link means located at each end of said series of members, each of said connecting link means being pivotally attached to two pairs of said parallel links where said two pairs of parallel links are pivotally attached to one another.

1 1. A collapsible construction as defined in claim 10 wherein the ends of said bracing links are pivotally connected at an equal distance from the points at which said pairs of links are attached to one another.

12. A collapsible construction which comprises: a series of parallel members located one above another so as to bespaced apart when in an open configuration, each of said members having a front side, a back side and ends, said ends being located within parallel planes, a pair of parallel links pivotally attached to each of said ends of said members so that one of said links of each of said pair of links is located toward the front side of each of said members, and so that the other of said links of each of said pair of links'is located toward the back side of each of said members, the links on any one of said members all having the same dimension, said pairs of links extending generally between said members when said members are spaced apart in an open configuration, the adjacent ends of said links within said planes being pivotally attached to one another, the links of all ofsaid pairs of links extending in parallel lines when said members are spaced apart in an open configuration; a diagonal bracing.

link pivotally attached to one link of each of said pairs of links and to one link of the next adjacent pair of said links so as to extend generally between the links of said pairs of links between the front sides and the back sides of said members.

13. A collapsible construction which comprises: a series of parallel members located one above another so as to be spaced apart when in an open configuration, each of said members having a front side, a back side and ends, said ends being located within parallel planes; a pair of parallel links pivotally attached to each of said ends of said members so that one of said links of each of said pairs oflinks is located toward the front side of each of said members and so that the other of said links of each of said pair of links is located toward the back side of each of said members, the links on any one of said members all having the same dimension, said pairs of links extending generally between said members so as to be parallel to one another when said members are spaced apartin an open configuration, the adjacent ends of said links being pivotally attached to one anothen'the links of all of said pairs of links extending in parallel lines when said members are spaced apart in an open configuration; a diagonal bracing link pivotally attached to one link of each of said pairs of links and to one link of the next adjacent pair of said links so as to extend generally between the links of said pairs of links and between the front sides and back sides of said members; and at least one connecting link located at each end of said series of parallel members of said connecting links extending parallel to said member and being pivotally attached to two pairs of said parallel links where said two pairs of parallel links are pivotally attached to one another.

14. A collapsible construction as defined in claim 13 wherein said parallel members are trays.

15;. A collapsible'construction as defined in, claim .13

wherein'each of said, parallel members is a shelf. 16. A collapsible construction which comprises: a series of members located one above another so as to be spaced from one another when in an open configuration, each of said members having a front side, a back side and ends, said ends being located within parallel planes, said members diverging from one another so that said front sides are further spaced from one another than said back sides; a pair of parallel links pivotally attached to each of said ends of said members so that one of said links of each of said pair of links is located toward the front side of each of said members and so that the other of said links of each of said pairs of links is located toward the back side of each of said members, the one of said links of each of said pair of links toward the front side of each of said members being longer than the other link of each of said pairs of links, said pairs of links extending generally between said members when said members are spaced apart in an open configuration, the adjacent ends of said links being pivotally attached to one, another; a diagonal bracing link pivotally attached to one link ofeach of said'pairs of links and one link of the next adjacent pair of said links so as to extend generally between the links of said pairs of: links between the front sides and the back sides of said members.

17. A collapsible construction as defined in claim 16 wherein said members are trays, said trays being adapted to nest within one another.

18. An extending and retracting truss mechanism which includes: a plurality of members which are adapted to be rigidly held with respect to one another, and which are adapted to be moved with respect to one another, said members being located adjacent to one another and hav ing adjacent ends; a pair of links located at each end of each of said members, each of said links of each of said pairs being pivotally attached to an' end of one of said members at a fixed point so that the links within said pairs may be rotated with respect to said members, adjacent ends of adjacent links of said pairs beinglpivotally attached to one another so as to form groups of attached links at the adjacent ends of said members; at least one connecting link extending'between and beingpivotally connected to the adjacent ends of links on two of said pairs of links in one of said groups at the points where said links are pivotally attached" to one another, said connecting links serving to hold said links in said groups in positions wherein said links define a series of four-sided geometric figures having adjacent, co-incident sides; and a bracing link pivotally attached to one of saidlinks of each of said pairs of links and pivotally attached to one of said links of the next adjacent pairs of links, said bracing links connecting links of said pairs which are remote from one another, said bracing links serving to cause said pairs of links to rotate simultaneously when any one of said links of said pairs of links is caused to'rotate.

'19. An extending and retracting truss mechanism as defined in claim 18 wherein each of said links of each of said pairs of links is of the same dimension.

- 20. An extending and retracting truss mechanism as defined in claim 18 wherein said members are trays.

References Cited inthefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,131,128 Goodman T 1 Mar. 9, 1915 1,992,435 Labadie 'Feb. 26, 1935 2,657,810 Garrick Nov. 31, 1953 FO EIGN PATENTS 435,306 Germany Oct. 15, 1926 435,490 Germany Oct. l5, 1926 

